When most people think of orthodontics, they think of straight teeth (after all of the brackets and wires!).  While a beautiful straight smile is achieved with braces, another important motivation for having them is proper function.  I often recommend braces to my adult patients for that very reason.  It’s never too late and you are never too old for braces.  More and more adults are realizing the importance of straight teeth.  I have had patients in their sixties undergoing orthodontic therapy.  I even had one that was in her seventies!  What a great outlook on life to go into braces during those golden years. 

A dentist usually recommends braces to improve the patient's physical "orofacial" appearance.  As I mentioned, orthodontic treatment corrects problems like crooked or crowded teeth, overbites or underbites, incorrect jaw position and disorders of the jaw joints.  I often explain that a beautiful straight set of teeth will function better than those that are not aligned properly.  If the forces on the teeth are uneven (which occurs with crooked teeth) there is a greater possibility of wear, broken teeth, decay (because of the increased difficulty in cleaning) and gum disease.

Patients with orthodontic problems can benefit from treatment at nearly any age.  Typically children are treated between the age of 10 and 14, but early intervention on children as young as five years of age is very common.  With early intervention, orthodontists or general dentists can redirect a child’s growth and often not only reduce the length of time the child wears braces, but also get a better result.  Often times, an extremely short, long or narrow face, a small weak chin or jutting jaw can be corrected with orthodontic appliances. 

Your orthodontist/dentist will know what appliance is best for your particular problem, but the patient often has a choice.  The most common type are brackets, metal or clear ceramic/plastic, that are bonded to teeth.  On occasion, the "lingual" type of braces are used.  These have brackets that attach to the back of teeth, hidden from view.  This type is often more difficult to do and may require longer treatment time.  These types use wires to move the teeth to the desired position.  Another method is called “Invisalign”.  This method utilizes a series of clear removable trays that systematically move the teeth.  These work well, but cannot be used on all patients and most likely will involve a greater expense.

Patients wonder how long they will have to wear braces.  It all depends upon your treatment plan.  The more complicated your spacing or bite problem, and the older you are, the longer the period of treatment.  Most patients can count on wearing full braces between 18 and 30 months, followed by the wearing of a retainer.

During treatment, the interconnecting wires are tightened at each visit, bearing mild pressure on the brackets or bands to shift teeth or jaws gradually into a desired position.  Your teeth and jaws may feel slightly sore after each visit, but the discomfort is brief.  With braces, oral hygiene is more important than ever.  Braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped.  Brush carefully after every meal with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.  Take time to floss between braces and under wires with the help of a floss-threader.  Have your teeth cleaned every six months to keep your gums and teeth healthy.  Insufficient cleaning while wearing braces can cause enamel staining and breakdown around brackets or bands.

Remember, it is never too late to straighten your smile!